Don’t all our hearts melt a little at the thought of unveiling from the last beautifully wrapped box under the tree a perfect puppy with a big red bow – an idyllic and already loved member of the family – Well, this image works in a thirty-second commercial, but not in the real world. After all, a new pet is a lifelong commitment for both of you and should not be entered into lightly.
Not wanting to take the holly-jolly out of your Christmas, the perfect present of a pet for your family is a great idea, but only if it is a perfect fit for everyone in your household. There are a lot of things to consider:
- Where do you live – an apartment or the country?
- Do you have young children?
- How much time can you devote to your new dog?
- Do you prefer a large, medium, or small dog?
- How do you feel about shedding, drooling, grooming, or barking?
- Can you take the time to walk your dog and provide proper training?
A great place to start is by taking a couple of online quizzes to see which breed is right for you and yours. An excellent organization called Our Pets Add Life (PAL) makes it its mission to match people with the right pet. Check out their website at www.petsaddlife.org, where they have a great interactive quiz for finding the right dog. If you want to include your kids in the decision-making process, this is the perfect place to take the quiz as a family.
Another website where you can take a quiz is www.dogtime.com. Once you find your match, this website can also provide you with breeders near you. However, we highly suggest you first seek out a rescue organization or local shelter to adopt a dog who needs a loving home.
Longing for a puppy that is part of the AKC? No problem. Once you find the right breed which fits into your lifestyle (and the dog into yours), go to www.AKC.org, and you can find a list of AKC Breeders of Merit and their rankings.
When you find that right pet, we would love for you to send us a photo or video to our Instagram or Facebook page. We can’t think of a better way to share the holidays than with you and that magic moment when your new family member is debuted – big red bow and all!
